Hi everyone. Apologies if this problem has been posted previously. I have a 1.9 O2 Skoda Fabia SDI 114k miles. I do a lot of motorway mileage and recently I have noticed when I brake at 70mph I get shaking and vibrating of the steering wheel. That's problem number one. I replaced my brake shoes about 2 years ago when I bought the car along with the clutch.

Second problem I have is when I turn the car on I get a squeaking noise and when I brake I hear a grind when I brake at the junction at the bottom of the street.

Third problem maybe I'm being paranoid but how can I tell If my clutch is going.

I have just serviced my car yesterday all filters oil change from my garage guy across the street. I am a car novice haven't got a clue what the above problems are just thought I'd ask some experienced owners on here who maybe able to diagnose the problem before I spend a load of money on my car.

Thanks for your help in advance

It's the brake rotors. You need to replace it.

Check the front shocks, struts and bushes. I had the same issue as yours and was getting worse with a full car (4-5 passengers and a lot of things in the boot). After I replaced my dampers and struts it got a lot better. I still get some vibrations and I blame the arm bushes and/or oval discs.

First and second problems, almost certainly to do with your front brake discs and/or pads being warped/ too thin (very worn) or a combination of the two. 

 

When is the last time you had them replaced? 

 

Problem 3 - If your bite point is very high and you feel like when you accelerate, not all the power is transferred to the wheels but the engine still revs - your clutch is slipping and may be worn.

 

If this is not happening then your clutch is fine 

Sorry just re-read, your squeaking of Problem 2 is probably your auxiliary belt slipping when it is cold/ when you first start the car up. Mine does it a little bit. Essentially it is getting worn and will need replacing at some point in he future (exactly when I cannot say).

 

 

If it is happening just when you initially start the car and goes when it is warm, you 'should' be ok. If it squeeks extensively all of the time, in my opinion you should get it replaced as you dont want it to snap.

Hi everyone thanks for your quick response. The last time I got my discs replaced never. Pads 2 years ago. I should have added I crashed into a kerb a few weeks ago causing a tyre blow out could this be a cause of the problems I'm getting?

Squeaking I get until engine is warm then goes, I asked my dad(not a mechanic but experience of cars in general 30+years) and he said some lubricant should help any suggestions on this?

I'm a little apprehensive on driving my car until i get these problems sorted. Can anyone suggest good quality discs and pads that will last me a while. Be a good idea to get everything sorted before winter kicks in?

Thanks again for everyone's advice

Edited 2 December, 201510 yr by fesal123

If you get a bulge in the tyre from hitting pot holes and curb, it can cause similar problems to what your getting, but should be most of the time, not just when your braking.

Id still think the front brake discs and warped and need replacing.

Did the symptoms started after that event? Did they calibrate the new tires?

And yes, I think if it was the tires it would happen not breaking.

I'd check the strut mounts and bearings along with the arm bushes. If tires wouldn't be balanced the steering wheel would wouble all the time, not only when braking.

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I got the wheels balanced after I put a new tyre and rim on if that's what you mean as the rim was bent beyond belief to say the least damn those high kerbs. Yes that's when the problem started.

Oval disc?

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I got the wheels balanced after I put a new tyre and rim on if that's what you mean as the rim was bent beyond belief to say the least damn those high kerbs. Yes that's when the problem started.

 

If the rim was bent then probably the discs were too... Just a little distortion is enough to cause this symptoms... I already had this problem and it was the discs.

Thanks for your replies. Ermm I think they're circular discs actually. I asked the garage guys apprentice yesterday he said your brakes look fine but I don't believe him.

Guess I'll have to get the discs changed then pads too you reckon?

Ermm I think they're circular discs actually.

 

 

He means your discs might be warped.

Right ok. Thanks for that.

Id still think the front brake discs and warped and need replacing.

+1

JRJG

Worn suspension bushes/strut mounts might have a similar output. There is a tool called dial test indicator that should be used in order to tell if a rotor is warped or not.

Edited 3 December, 201510 yr by Alexandru

Thanks for your replies. Ermm I think they're circular discs actually. I asked the garage guys apprentice yesterday he said your brakes look fine but I don't believe him.

Guess I'll have to get the discs changed then pads too you reckon?

Warped discs will often look absolutely fine to the eye. As discs get worn, they get thinner, as they get thinner they heat up easier/quicker and so are more susceptible to warping because of this. Having said that, bad quality discs which are not good at dissipating heat will warp easily compared to expensive discs which are made from better quality materials, so brand new cheap discs can warp almost straight away under heavy braking.

 

Do you notice any gyration in your braking as you are coming to a stop at any other speeds? Is the vibration accompanied with any sort of knocking noise at motorway speeds?  

Basically trying to establish if it is your discs that are slightly warped or something more sinister (suspension related) as other people have eluded to. Warped discs are not the end of the world as long as the disc is in good condition - from what your mechanic says I suspect they are ok (safe to pass an MOT).

 

What I would do if I was you, as you state you are not confident with car mechanics, is to take the car to a different reputable dealer, explain the symptons you are getting and let them investigate and draw their own conclusions. If they are indeed reputable they will ask before carrying out any work. Cars are expensive unfortunately.        

Thanks for your advice everyone. I only notice the vibrations when braking at high speed no knocking noises as far as I'm aware. A bit of grinding when braking at low speed e.g. braking at a junction. Will need to get it checked again.

Update: I've replaced my arm bushes (front and rear) with a set of superpro ones. I'm no longer getting vibrations in the steering wheel when braking. The car feels a lot better now as well. The old bushes didn't have any actual play, but when taken out, they proved they lived their life.

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I've been taken my car to the main garage guy opposite my house. He took my car for a spin and said I've got a quarter of my brake pads left whatever that means, I'm assuming they're good for now.

He also said the brakes may need adjusting. I've told him to take the tyres off and check it thoroughly as has been mentioned here replacing arm bushes may solve the problem I've been having.

After a quick Internet search I've learnt that bushes go into the wishbone so I'm thinking would it be cheaper just to replace that whole bit as I'm assuming those nuts that attach the wishbone to the car itself will be rusty etc.

As I've said before I don't know anything about cars so I'm relying on Internet information. Any expert advice from people with experience is much appreciated if I'm wrong in what I've said above.

Thanks everyone.

The bushes fit into an alloy 'console'. The wishbone spigot is then pushed into the bush. The thread on the alloy console which takes the main wishbone bolt can sometimes seize due to the effect of two different metals (steel bolt into alloy console). If the thread is ruined you will need to replace the console. However, sometimes the threads do survive if you're lucky. When I did mine I fitted new main wishbone bolts and new bolts for the balljoint to wishbone.

 

There's a guide here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/92625-fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/

Edited 7 December, 201510 yr by TMB

Thanks. Got my bushes checked they don't need replacing at the moment. Getting discs and pads changed as they are my mechanic said the discs have a 'lip' on them which means they are badly damaged.

Rear brake shoes are getting replaced aswell as the handbrake can't be adjusted anymore and are worn out. Though I'd get the belt changed aswell which was the cause of the squeaking.

Would it be a good idea to bleed the brakes at the same time? Are Mintex brand a decent make for brakes?

Thanks

In my cases, the arm bushes looked fine at a visual inspection and had no actual play. When taken out, they were pretty close to death.

Thanks. Got my bushes checked they don't need replacing at the moment. Getting discs and pads changed as they are my mechanic said the discs have a 'lip' on them which means they are badly damaged.

Rear brake shoes are getting replaced aswell as the handbrake can't be adjusted anymore and are worn out. Though I'd get the belt changed aswell which was the cause of the squeaking.

Would it be a good idea to bleed the brakes at the same time? Are Mintex brand a decent make for brakes?

Thanks

 

The lip means they are worn, they are not 'damaged' just worn. Mintex are ok, many car makers use them as OEM brakes. 

 

Bleeding brakes should ideally be done every 2 years as the fluid is hygroscopic, i.e. it takes in water and water is bad to use as brake fluid. Unless you have evidence that the fluid has been changed recently, then I would get the fluid changed at the same time yes :-)